Vishnu-Priya Devi

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Vishnu Priya Devi

 

[ Appearance Day on 13th February, 2005 ]

 

 

 

 

 

Sri, Bhu and Nila are three of the energies of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead. Srimati Visnu-priya Devi is the manifestation of Krsna's Bhu sakti.

She is also known to be the same as Satyabhama in Krsna-lila. She has

appeared with Sri Gaurasundara to assist in the distribution of love of

Godhead and His Holy Names.

 

There lived in Navadvipa one brahmana, Sanatanaa Misra by name, who was a

great devotee of Lord Visnu. He used to maintain many people, providing them

with food and cloth and was also renowned as a great scholar

(raja-Panditaa).

 

In Dvapara-yuga he was the King Satrajit. As he was a great devotee of Lord

Visnu, from the fruits of his faithful worship of Him, he obtained a very

beautiful jewel of a daughter endowed with all good qualities, by the name

Sri Visnu-priya. From her very childhood she used to take bath in the Ganga

two or three times a day and in imitation of her elders she would perform

various worship ceremonies, vows and service to the Deity and Tulasi Devi.

When she would meet Sacimata at the bathing ghat of the Ganga, she used to

offer her obeisances and Sacimata would in turn bless her saying, " Yogga

pati hauk. " (May you get a qualified husband). Saci Mata used to think to

herself that she would make a very fine daughter-in-law.

 

In the meantime Nimai was married to Laksmipriya, who after a short time

passed on to the next world. Ma Saci was very aggrieved at this but the days

passed on. Then she thought to get her son married again. All of her

relatives and close friends all felt this would be a good idea. Sri

Gaurasundara didn't oppose His mother and gave his consent.

 

Sacimata sent one of the servants to call Kasinathaa Panditaa, the

match-maker. Receiving her summons, the Panditaa immediately came to see Ma

Saci, who brought up the point of Sri Gaurasundara's marriage. Kasinatha

Pandita thought this was a very good idea, and urged that the marriage take

place as soon as possible. When he inquired if she had any suitable bride in

mind, Sacima replied, " Sanatana Misra's daughter, Visnu-priya. "

 

Kasinatha exclaimed, " Thakurani! I was also thinking to mention her name. "

 

Ma Saci replied, " But I am very poor. Do you think he will want to present

his daughter to us? You please discuss this matter with him. "

 

Kasinatha replied, " Thakurani, if Sanatana Misra doesn't give his daughter

to such a beautiful boy and a qualified son as your Nimai, then who will he

give her to? " Having spoken these consoling words he set out for Sanatana

Misra's house.

 

Sanatana Misra, seeing that his daughter had attained marriageable age, was

also looking for a suitable bridegroom. But in Nadiya there was no one more

qualified than Nimai Pandita. He was the most handsome, had the best

qualities and was still quite young. One would be considered very fortunate

indeed to be able to give their daughter to such a qualified young man.

Sanatana Misra was thinking like this, but was feeling shy to mention his

plan to anyone. Simply in his mind he was praying to the Lord, " O my Lord,

Oh Hari! If I have accumulated any pious merits in my previous lifetimes

then let the result of those be that my daughter gets Nimai Pandita as her

husband. "

 

Finally he brought up the topic of their daughter's marriage with his wife.

Just then who should appear at the door, but Kasinatha Pandita.

 

Sanatana Misra got up to receive him and after having respectfully seated

him brought some sweetmeats and water. As he thought to himself, " Certainly

he has some news of a suitable bridegroom " , he inquired, " Panditaji, what is

the news? "

 

Smiling broadly the Pandita replied, " You should give your daughter in

marriage to Vishvambhara Pandita. After having considered the matter in

every respect, this is the best decision. With this in mind I have come to

see you. That excellent boy is the most qualified for your daughter, and

your daughter, being extremely chaste, is the most suitable for him. As Sri

Krsna and Rukmini-devi are mutually compatible, so are Visnu-priya and Nimai

Pandita. "

 

When they heard this proposal, Sanatana Misra and his wife felt such joy

that they forgot themselves. Sanatana Misra thought to himself, " The

all-cognizant Supersoul has fulfilled my desires. "

 

Sanatana Misra spoke to Kasinatha, " In this regard, what can I say? If there

is any good fortune in my family, then I have a hope to obtain such a

son-in-law. "

 

Some of the others present spoke up, " Unless one is highly fortunate, is it

possible to get such a boy? If your daughter is lucky enough then certainly

she will get such a husband. "

 

Thereafter Misra Mahadaya discussed various matters in order to finalize the

betrothal agreement. Having arranged everything suitably, Kasinatha returned

to Saci Mata's house and informed her of the proceedings.

 

Sacimata replied, " The Lord is looking out for me, because I have no one

else to. "

 

Everyone became very jubilant to hear that Nimai Pandita's wedding was to

take place. His disciples began to discuss among themselves, " We'll all

donate some things for Panditaji's wedding. "

 

Buddhimanta Khan, who was quite wealthy spoke up, " I will bear all the costs

of the wedding. "

 

To this Mahaprabhu's friends Mukunda and Sanjaya replied, " Our dear brother,

won't you even share some of the expenses with us. This wedding has to be so

gorgeous, that no prince has ever seen the likes of it " .

 

News spread throughout the whole of Navadvipa about the upcoming marriage of

Nimai Pandita, and gradually the preparations for the wedding began. First a

huge canopy was suspended above the place where the marriage ceremony would

take place. On the ground various floral and other auspicious designs were

painted with rice flour and then the pavilion was decorated with banana

trees, water pots, mango leaves, lamps, paddy, yogurt and other auspicious

articles. All the Vaisnavas, brahmanas and other noble and virtuous

gentlemen who lived in Navadvipa at that time were invited to the invocation

ceremony preceding the wedding.

 

On the evening of that day the musicians began to play on their instruments,

while the courtyard of Saci's house began to fill up with relatives and

friends. First the worship of the Lord was performed, followed by arati and

the offering of foodstuffs, all conducted with great pomp and gaiety. Then

the preliminary ceremonies to be performed by Sri Gaura before the wedding

were smoothly executed. Within the inner apartments of the house, the ladies

contributed their efforts to the ceremony by yodelling and blowing

conchshells, while the Vaisnavas filled the sky with the vibrations of the

Lord's Holy Names, " Hari! Hari! "

 

In all directions an ocean of happiness began to swell, in anticipation of

the Supreme Lord's marriage ceremony. Following this preliminary ceremony,

sweet preparations of betel nuts and pan leaves were served, as many as

anyone wanted. Gaurasundara personally applied sandalwood paste and

garlanded with flower garlands all those Vaisnavas and brahmanas who

attended the function. In turn they very cheerfully offered their blessings.

No one had ever before seen such a pleasant adhibasa ceremony (the function

preceding the major ceremony). The city of Nadiya began to float in the

midst of an ocean of bliss.

 

On the next day a very vast arrangement began to take place in preparation

for the actual wedding ceremony. In the afternoon Sri Gaurasundara put on an

excellent dhoti and upper garments and then after first making salutations

at the feet of His mother and other Vaisnavas present, He ascended the

palanquin and took his seat within. First they came to the banks of the

Ganges where Sri Gauranga got down out of the palanquin to offer His

obeisances to Srimati Ganga Devi. Then after again getting into the

palanquin, to the accompaniment of the playing of instruments and auspicious

shouting of " Jai! Jai! " , which filled up the sky in all directions, the

party began to again proceed along the banks of the Ganges. Thousands and

thousands of lamps were glittering in the evening like so many little stars

coming out. The musicians played their various instruments while some

engaged in singing and dancing.

 

During the Godhuli-lagna (the time when the cows return home from the

pasture and the dust from their hoofs fills the air), the bridegroom and his

party entered the courtyard of Sri Sanatana Misra's house. Sanatana Misra

and his wife presented various articles of worship before the bridegroom,

thus welcoming him and at the same time offering their blessings.

 

Meanwhile the new bride had been decorated with various ornaments and she

was now brought out of the house and into the wedding pavilion. The Supreme

Goddess of Fortune, after seven times having circumambulated her eternal

consort, Sri Gaura Narayana, offered her entire being at His lotus feet. Sri

Gaura Raya, after having seated His eternal consort on his left side, then

exchanged flower garlands with her.

 

" First of all the Goddess of Fortune, the Mother of the Universe, kneeling

before the lotus feet of the Lord, placed a flower garland around His neck,

thus surrendering herself to Him. Then Sri Gauracandra, smiling slightly,

placed a flower garland around Sri Visnu-priya-devi's neck. Thus having

exchanged flower garlands Sri Sri Laksmi Narayana began Their divine

sports. "

 

Sri Sanatana Misra felt himself crowned with success in having presented his

daughter to Sri Gaurasundara with a large dowry. As King Janaka presented

Sita-devi to Ramacandra, as King Bhismaka presented Rukmini to Sri Krsna, so

Sanatana Misra presented Visnu-priya devi to Sri Gaurasundara. After the

wedding ceremony, the bride and bridegroom entered Their bridal suite and

lay down on a bed of flowers.

 

That night the bliss of Vaikuntha made its appearance within the house of

Sri Sanatana Misra. Practically the entire night the musicians played on

their instruments while others sang and danced. In the early morning, Sri

Gaurasundara and his wife Laksmi-devi, got up from Their bed, and after

having washed Their hands and mouths they completed Their morning bhajana.

Sri Sanatana Misra, along with his family and relatives, having had arranged

this grand festival, enjoyed such pleasure as is not possible to describe.

 

In the afternoon, Sri Gaurasundara, along with His new bride, proceeded to

His own house, being accompanied by the party of musicians, singers and

dancers. As they passed through the town of Nadiya, along the banks of the

Ganga, the local inhabitants gazed at the unprecedented beauty of Sri Sri

Visnu-priya Gauranga and began to comment, " This highly fortunate girl must

have served Laksmi and Parvati for many lifetimes. " (in order to get such a

husband).

 

Someone else said, " They look like Haragauri (Lord Siva and Gauri), " as some

one else commented, " I think they must be Laksmi and Sri Hari. "

 

" No they must be Kamadeva (Cupid) and Rati, " while someone else offered, " I

think they look like Lord Indra and Saci. "

 

Another suggested, " They must be Ramacandra and Sita. "

 

In this way the pious ladies of Nadiya made various remarks as the

procession passed their houses.

 

Even after executing penances and austerities for many lifetimes, the yogis

are still unqualified to see the divine pastimes of the Lord, but the

ordinary inhabitants of Nadiya, down to the very lowest, were able to have

darshan of this divine pastime of the Lord. Therefore He is called

Dinanatha. The brahmanas and family members were presented with valuable

cloths and all of the dancers, performers (panegyrists) and beggars who were

present were also presented gifts of cloth and money by Sri Gaurasundara.

Thus they went on their way feeling quite happy. Then the Lord Vishvambhara

lovingly embraced Buddhimanta Khan who had born all of the expenses of the

wedding. [CB Adi 15]

 

Hereafter Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura only occasionally mentions Sri

Visnu-priya devi in Caitanya Bhagavata. When Lord Caitanya returned from

Gaya dham, Sri Visnu-priya, who had been suffering great separation, became

again very happy. But Mahaprabhu was a completely changed person.

 

Sacimata thought that perhaps he had become afflicted with some disease. She

worshipped Mother Ganges and Lord Visnu for the welfare of her child and

brought Sri Visnu-priya and sat her down before her husband. However,

Mahaprabhu, even though looking in her direction, didn't even see her. He

simply used to call out " Krsna! Krsna! " , all the while crying.

 

Another time His mother brought His meal, placing the plate before Him as

she also sat down in front of Him. Meanwhile Visnu-priya was watching

everything from within the other room.

 

Mahaprabhu was always absorbed in various ecstatic moods. He had come to

hear of some oppressive behaviour by some atheist miscreants and exclaimed,

" I will destroy them! "

 

One day Sacimata and Sri Gaurasundara were sitting in the room talking,

while Visnu-priya was quietly sitting outside listening. Sacimata told

Gaurasundara, " Early this morning, I saw a dream in which You and Nityananda

were playing with our Deities, Balarama and Krsna. Then the four of You sat

down to take some food and ultimately ended up fighting with one another. In

this way I saw so many of your sports! "

 

Gaurasundara replied, " Such a wonderful dream, Mother! But don't tell

anyone. Balarama and Krsna are personally living in our house. So many days

I saw that someone is stealing and eating their prasadam. I used to doubt

your daughter-in-law. But now I don't have this doubt any more. " (i.e.

Balarama and Krsna are directly eating what is offered to them).

 

Sacimata exclaimed, " Baba, You shouldn't speak like that. "

 

Then Visnu-priya who was overhearing everything began to laugh.

 

Another day, the Lord Visvambhara was sitting with Laksmi-devi (Visnu-priya)

in His room. Laksmi-devi was feeling such happiness in being able to serve

her husband by giving Him tambul (pan and betel nut) that she wasn't aware

whether it was night or day. Whenever Laksmi would stay by Visvambhara's

side, Saci felt very content.

 

The Lord Gaura Narayana eternally engages in His divine lila with Laksmi

(Visnu-priya) in Nadiya. He feels very happy to taste the tambul which

Visnu-priya supplies Him. She, by her husband's happiness, then forgets

whether it is day or night. This is the subject of meditation for the

eternal worshipper of Sri Sri Gaura Visnu-priya.

 

When Mahaprabhu played the part of Rukmini-devi in a drama enacted at the

house of Sri Candrasekhara Acarya, Visnu-priya accompanied Sacimata when she

went to see that performance.

 

Hereafter, in the descriptions of the Lord's acceptance of the sannyasa

order, Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura hasn't mentioned Visnu-priya's name

anywhere. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has only briefly described her

marriage with Sri Gaurasundara in the 8th chapter of the Adi-lila of Sri

Caitanya Caritamrta.

 

Locana dasa Thakura, however, in his Caitanya Mangala, has given the

following narration about the instructions that Mahaprabhu gave to Sri

Visnu-priya on the night of His departure for the acceptance of sannyasa.

 

Mahaprabhu is speaking to Visnu-priya, " You can write this down. Everything

that you see in this universe is completely false. The only reality is

Bhagavan and His devotees. Everything else is for nothing and this is fit to

be sung in song. "

 

" Sons, husbands and friends, all of these family relationships are false. In

the end no one belongs to anyone else. Other than the lotus feet of Sri

Krsna, we have no other refuge. Krsna is the Husband (Master) of everyone

and other than Him, everything else is His energy. But no one understands

this. Your name is Visnu-priya. If you worship Sri Visnu, then your name has

been given substance. Don't feel any sorrow needlessly. I am explaining to

you the genuine Truth. Just fix your mind at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. "

 

Visnu-priya replied, " You are the Supreme Controller, therefore please

withdraw Your illusory energy. Then Visnu-priya can be cheerful. "

 

Visnu-priya then felt her sadness and affliction leave her and her heart

full of ecstasy, she found herself gazing at the four armed form of the

Lord. Nevertheless, she couldn't give up thinking of the Lord as her Lord

(husband) and falling at His lotus feet, she told Him, " I just have one

thing to say. I have come into this world, a completely vile and abominable

wretch, but you are my life, my Lord. My worth is that I am Your servant.

Now for what reason am I condemned to become a useless nothing again? "

 

Mahaprabhu replied, " Please hear me, Devi Visnu-priya. I am telling you

this. Whenever and wherever you think of Me, I will immediately come to be

with you. Please know this to be a firm fact. "

 

Hearing the order of her Lord, Sri Krsna, Visnu-priya thought to herself,

" You are the Supreme, independent Lord. Whatever makes You happy, You should

do that. Who will try to obstruct You? Therefore I have no further reply. "

 

In the middle of the night, leaving the side of Visnu-priya, Mahaprabhu came

before his Mother's door and offered His salutations to her. After revealing

some of His transcendental opulences He left her in a bewildered state and

crossed the Ganges by swimming. Now He set off in the direction of Katwa.

 

Sri Vasu Ghosha Thakura has described Visnu-priya's and Sacimata's condition

when they woke up at the end of the night.

 

Visnu-priya, thinking that Sri Gaurasundara was lying by her side, put her

hand out to touch Him, but found simply emptiness beside her. Touching that

empty space, a thunderbolt fell on her head. " Alas! Providence has cheated

me. "

 

Crying very piteously, she went to Sacimata's room without binding her hair.

Visnu-priya's crying was rending the very earth itself and the birds,

beasts, creepers and trees, even the rocks, were also crying.

 

" Oh why is it that, being such a sinful person my life is not leaving this

body?! " Falling down and rolling on the ground, her piteous wail caused her

breath to come in gasps. Her mouth dried up and her body was trembling.

Feeling such intense separation from Mahaprabhu, sleep renounced the eyes of

Sri Visnu-priya. If sometimes she might sleep for a little while, then she

would lie down on the ground. Though her bodily radiance could defeat that

of gold, now she appeared very pallid, like a jewel covered with dirt.

 

Her body was as thin as the moon on the fourteenth day of the dark

fortnight. She would count the chanting of the Holy Names with the aid of

grains of rice, and however much rice would accumulate, that she would cook

and offer to Mahaprabhu. Then a small amount of that she would accept as

prasadam. No one could understand how it was that she was maintaining her

life.

 

In the diary of Murari Gupta there is a description of the appearance of

Mahaprabhu's Deity and Sri Visnu-priya devi's worship of that murti.

Mahaprabhu's very own expansion, in the form of His Deity, was present

before Sri Visnu-priya. He intimated to her, " Sri Krsna is present in this

form. "

 

Laksmi devi, (as Visnu-priya) engaged in the worship of this Deity. This

Deity is at present being worshipped in the town of Navadvipa as Dhameshvara

(the Isvara of the Dhama). After Mahaprabhu went away from Nadiya, Isana

Thakura (a servant in the house of Sacimata) used to look after Visnu-priya

and Sacimata. Sri Vamsivadana Thakura also used to stay with them.

 

Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu received the darshan of Visnu-priya when he went to

Navadvipa.